Chapter Twenty-Four

Shadowheart and Blackflame set out as soon as possible. The two brothers had walked in silence through the snow deep ground, the tension among them thick in the icy air. Both cats knew the dangers of being alone in the forest now, and neither was willing to let their guard down as they walked. Reaching the moorland, Shadowheart flinched as cold air blew across the brittle heather towards them.

"Do you think Silversky will come to us?" Blackflame asked, following beside Shadowheart as they crept along the edge of the moor.

Shadowheart flattened his ears against the bitter wind. "She hasn't had any trouble speaking to me before," he replied, feeling a twinge of resentment towards his mother. "Anytime she has spoken to me, she hasn't been much help. I don't know what Foxstar expects."

"What's she like?" his brother persisted, glancing ahead. "I always wanted to meet our mother."

Vague, unhelpful, a typical StarClan cat? Shadowheart bit back the bitter reply. It wasn't Blackflame's fault their mother had been very little help during all of this. He took a deep breath. "She's a beautiful cat," he started, remembering his mother's silver starlit pelt and soft silver eyes. "And whenever I see her, we're in this sunny meadow."

Blackflame tilted his head. "StarClan must be a wonderful place," he meowed. "I can't wait to see it for myself tonight."

Reaching the thunderpath, the two warriors carefully crossed and made their way up the steep rocky slopes to the Cavern of Stars. Sunset had passed before they made it to the thunderpath, and now darkness was beginning to fall. Shadowheart could make out the early stars of Silverpelt overhead, and led Blackflame down the cavern. As if on que, the Starslugs began to glow, lighting the way.

"Whoa!" Blackflame explained, staring around in wonder. "What is this? It's like the cavern is made of stars!"

Purring, Shadowheart couldn't help but feel amused by his brother's surprise. He recalled his own surprise when visiting the Cavern of Stars for the first time, many moons ago as an apprentice. How much has changed since then, Shadowheart thought. "They're called Starslugs," he told Blackflame as they walked. "They always light the way to the Moonpuddle for some reason."

"They're beautiful..." Blackflame murmured, still in awe.

Shadowheart kept up the pace until the narrow passageway opened up into the cavern that held the Moonpuddle. Leading the way to the large puddle, he gazed up at the opening in the cavern. Blackflame looked around curiously, his eyes wide with amazement. The moon came out from beyond a cloud then, lighting the cavern up in its' luminous white glow. The Moonpuddle glowed with white starlight, almost inviting the two cats to lap at its' cool waters.

"Touch your nose to the water," Shadowheart beckoned to Blackflame with his tail. "Close your eyes, and clear your mind. StarClan is on the other side."

Eyes flashing nervously, Blackflame did as told. Shadowheart followed after him, lowering his body to the cavern floor. Touching his nose to the cold water, he closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes, he was in the meadow once more; but now, Blackflame was by his side. His brother was looking around in awe, clearly taken aback by the beauty of the warm field of flowers. Shadowheart led him towards the large tree nearby, looking around for Silversky.

"Silversky? Are you here?" he called.

"Not Silversky, but I," came a familiar voice.

Spinning around, Shadowheart almost let out a yowl of delight. Before him, stood the recognizable calico pelt of Echostar. The former LeafClan leader faced them with regal poise, blue eyes glowing with warmth.

"Echostar!" Shadowheart exclaimed, purring loudly.

Blackflame looked confused, and glanced at Shadowheart. "Echostar? Who is that?"

Echostar dipped her head. "It's great to see you once again, Shadowheart," she turned to face Blackflame. "I was leader before Foxstar. I am also your kin, as I am the older sister of your mother, Silversky. It is nice to finally meet you, Blackflame."

"As pleased as I am to see you Echostar," began Shadowheart. "Where's Silversky? Foxstar sent us here to speak with her."

Echostar twitched an ear. "Silversky is not the cat you must speak to now," she told them. "I have come before you instead to warn you. A follower of Hawk saw you two coming into the cavern, and I'm afraid that your time here is very limited. Once you awaken, you must be ready to run; for Hawk will be waiting in ambush."

"What?" Shadowheart's blood turned to ice. "What do we do? We can't lead him back to camp!"

Blackflame flattened his ears. "We can't just run either."

"StarClan will be with you," Echostar reassured them, the dream fading. "Be strong, my warriors."

Darkness engulfed Shadowheart's vision as he was jolted awake from the dream. Blackflame was already to his paws, fur bristling. Heeding Echostar's warning, the two of them staring at the passageway they came from; still glowing with the green light of the Starslugs.

"What should we do, Shadowheart?" Blackflame asked, pacing forward. "Hawk is waiting for us outside of this cavern, and who knows how many cats he has?"

Shadowheart growled. "We have to do what Echostar said, and run for it. No looking back, just run."

Blackflame met his gaze with wide eyes. "Run? What warrior runs?" he asked in disbelief. "We should stay and fight. Focus on Hawk and take him out."

"Mouse-brain!" Shadowheart hissed. "That's how we'll both get killed! Do you want to get back to your mate or kits, or die here?"

At the mention of Sandpool and the kits, Blackflame's eyes burned with a deep fire. "It's because of them that I fight. If I die here, then so be it. I will not lead these mange-pelts to the heart of our camp!"

Before Shadowheart could say anything else, his brother bolted ahead through the passageway. "Blackflame, no!" he yowled after him, giving chase.

As they emerged through the opening, Blackflame was already ahead. He stood, fur bushed out and bristling in the center of the rocks. Shadowheart panicked when he thought his brother would be ripped apart before him, but to his surprise, no cats lunged from the shadows.

Blackflame seemed to realize it too, easing up. He warily looked around in confusion. "What? But Echostar said-"

"Oh StarClan, so insightful aren't they?" a sneer came from above.

Shadowheart looked up sharply to see Hawk perched above them from the lip of the cavern. Unsheathing his claws, Shadowheart was ready to fight. If it were only Hawk here, perhaps they stood a chance! However his heart sank when he was Cinder emerge from the shadows nearby. Her ice blue gaze was dark and unreadable.

Hawk leaped down from his perch, and the two rogues circled Shadowheart and Blackflame. Standing back to back, Shadowheart let out a hiss.

"Hawk!" he spat. "Echostar warned us you'd be here."

Hawk gave a laugh. "And what good did that do for you, Shadowheart?" he jeered mockingly. "That old fool should keep to StarClan where she belongs. But fear not, I'm not here to kill both of you."

"What?" Shadowheart stared at Hawk in shock. Suddenly Cinder slammed him to the ground and the two cats writhed on the rocks.

"Shadowheart!" Blackflame yowled, rushing towards them.

"Stay out of this!" Hawk snarled, quickly knocking Blackflame to his back and pinning him to the ground.

Shadowheart struggled under Cinder's claws, striking out with his hind legs. Digging her claws in deeper, Cinder just stared down at him with cold eyes. Was this it? Was he about to be killed by his own sister, here by the Cavern of Stars?

"Shadowheart!" Blackflame called out, struggling under Hawk's claws. "You fox heart! Let me go!"

Hawk ignored him, and fixed his sharp yellow gaze on Cinder. "Do it, Cinder. Show me where your loyalty truly lies once and for all!"

Shadowheart stared up at his sister, meeting her gaze. "Cinder, you don't have to do this. You're better than this! I was the one who-"

"Shut up!" Cinder snarled, digging her claws in deeper. "What do you even know about me? I'm not the same weak kit you remember me as! I've grown better than you, and now you'll see just how capable I really am!"

Despite her words, Shadowheart could see a faint trace of uncertainty in his sister's eyes. Writhing under her claws, he managed to shove her off. Cinder let out a hiss of anger, lashing at him again. Shadowheart dodged the blow and headbutted her on her side. Cinder rolled across the ground, while Shadowheart leaped on top of her. Struggling to pin her down, he lost his gripping, and Cinder was able to throw him off. The two littermates faced each other, circling around slowly.

"What are you waiting for?" Hawk hissed. "Finish him, Cinder!"

Blackflame suddenly surged upward with a burst of strength, sending Hawk reeling backwards. Distracted, Shadowheart watched as his brother leaped for Hawk's throat. Hawk managed to back up just in time, slamming his claws down on Blackflame's head. The black tabby hit the ground hard, and was held down by the huge rogue leader.

"Blackflame!" Shadowheart screeched, running to save his brother.

He was knocked to the side by Cinder then, and pinned under her weight once more. However, Hawk's focus was no longer on the two fighting siblings, but Blackflame.

"Hmph, you would have made a good rogue had you accepted my offer," Hawk growled, staring down at Blackflame—who returned his gaze hatefully. "However I'm willing to ask you once again. Join me, and you will see just how needed my rogues are."

"Never!" Blackflame spat, his silver eyes burning. "I'd rather die than join you!"

Hawk narrowed his eyes. "Pity. I can't grant your wish though. I'll send you to StarClan instead of your traitorous brother!"

"Blackflame!" Shadowheart screeched, staring in agonizing horror while Hawk bit down on Blackflame's throat.

Ripping back, he let Blackflame go as his head fell limply to the ground. Cinder stared over at them in horror, and Shadowheart shoved her off. He rushed towards Blackflame's body, while Hawk padded away.

"Remember this Shadowheart," Hawk sneered over his shoulder. "I may have spared your life tonight, but I will kill every cat that means something to you. Don't forget that you are mine."

With that he disappeared into the shadows. Blackflame gasped for air, blood pooling from his neck wound. Shadowheart desperately pressed his paws on his brother's neck, staining them a dark red.

"Blackflame! Hold on!" he pleaded. "I'll find some cobwebs, I'll-"

"S-Shadowheart..." Blackflame coughed, scraping his claws against the rocky surface. "Tell...Tell Sandpool that I'm so sorry," his silver eyes turned watery and unfocused. "My kits...oh...my kits..."

Shadowheart trembled, feeling his paws slipping on the blood. "Blackflame, no! Please don't leave me! We've only just began! I need you, brother!"

Coughing weakly, Blackflame turned his gaze on Shadowheart. "You were r-right, Shadowheart," he rasped tiredly. "Silversky, our mother, is beautiful. She...She has come to get me…"

"No!" Shadowheart wailed. "No you have to stay here! You can't leave me! Silversky, don't you take him!" he yelled, staring up at the stars angrily. "Don't you take my brother from me!"

"I-It's no use…." Blackflame breathed quietly. "This was my destiny. Shadowheart….we will meet again. Don't grieve for me...we will be together...again...some day…."

With those final words, Blackflame fell still, his breathing stopped. His silver eyes were dull and lifeless, gazing out across the moorland beyond. Shadowheart stared down at him in disbelief. Blackflame was gone. He was dead. And Shadowheart couldn't save him.

"Until then," he whispered to his brother, placing his muzzle close to his. "We will meet again someday, my brother."

Cinder stepped forward, her eyes wide with horror. Shadowheart looked up, angry blinding him.

"This is your fault!" Shadowheart snarled, lunging at her. Cinder was overtaken and slammed onto the ground. "You watched your own brother die, and did nothing!" He dug his claws into her fur, drawing blood. "How could you? How could you do this?" Why? To impress Hawk? Was it worth it? Was any of this worth it?"

Cinder didn't fight him, clearly in some sort of shock. She didn't answer, and Shadowheart felt himself grow angrier.

"Nothing? All of this and nothing? You coward! You're no sister of mine!" he spat, letting her go and padding back to Blackflame's body. "Get out of my sight! Unlike you, I won't kill my own littermate. We may be bound by blood, but you will never be my sister."

Backing away slowly, Cinder turned and fled into the woods beyond. Collapsing over Blackflame's body, Shadowheart felt sobs wrack his body. He felt empty, hollow. How was he going to go on now? His brother was gone, and now he had to face his Clan with yet another dead Clanmate.

After a while, early morning light began to shine along the horizon. Shadowheart weakly got to his paws, and stared out ahead of him. Gazing back down at Blackflame's body, he leaned down and licked his brother's ear one last time. Carefully grabbing his scruff, he heaved Blackflame over his shoulders and back home.